The 5th Step addresses multiple dimensions simultaneously: spiritual honesty with our Higher Power, psychological honesty with ourselves, and interpersonal honesty with another human being. When we admit the exact nature of our wrongs, just the surface behaviors but the underlying character defects, motivations, and patterns—we create the foundation for genuine spiritual and psychological transformation. This step has the power to transform shame into healing, isolation into connection, and spiritual separation into conscious contact.

Yet the 5th Step also presents some of recovery's most formidable barriers. The complexity lies not merely in its requirement for vulnerability, but in the sophisticated ways we resist this life-changing process. Through extensive assessment and clinical experience, we have identified seven primary barrier patterns that prevent individuals from accessing the full transformative potential of the 5th Step.

This assessment explores the various dimensions of 5th Step work and helps you develop a personalized understanding of your relationship with this crucial step. There are no right or wrong answers—the goal is to promote honest reflection and identify areas where you can deepen your 5th Step practice for enhanced recovery stability and spiritual growth.